Rouleau Warns of Tight Timelines, But Government Took Maximum Amount of Time to Appoint Commissioner

OTTAWA — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) made its opening statement at the Public Order Emergency Commission today. And while Justice Rouleau warns of tight timelines, the CCLA is reminding Canadians the Federal government dragged its feet on appointing a commissioner.

“When it invoked the Emergencies Act the government triggered a Public Order Emergency Commission,” said Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the CCLA.

“The law is clear that the commission has one year to deliver a report. Today, Justice Rouleau emphasized that the commission has tight timelines to do its work.”

“The government was given 60 days to appoint a commissioner, rather than do so quickly it took all 60 days to do so. This means the commission lost two months.”

“The commission is tasked with extremely important work. Moving forward, we anticipate making recommendations that would allow future commissions more flexibility so that all facets of an emergency invocation can be properly explored.”

The CCLA was granted full standing at the Public Order Emergency Commission and expects to question witnesses.

The Public Order Emergency Commission has now begun and witnesses will begin testifying tomorrow.

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Watch today’s proceedings and introductory remarks from Cara Zwibel (2:10:30):  https://isi.sh/poec-cedu/2022-10-13/original/

About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.

Media Contact:
media@ccla.org
Alex Nanoff – 613.709.6318